The Seattle chapter of Drinking Liberally meets tonight (and every Tuesday), 8PM at the Montlake Ale House, 2307 24th Avenue E… but no doubt folks will be dropping by quite a bit early to watch the election returns trickle.
In fact, I’m headed off to DL in just a few moments, but polls have closed in Vermont and Ohio and some winners have already been declared. Obama is projected to win Vermont, where he currently leads Clinton 58-40 with 4% of precincts reporting, and McCain is projected to win… well… who the fuck really cares about McCain now that that race is already over?
UPDATE [5:17]:
No, I haven’t left for DL yet. But almost. Meanwhile, while the networks are saying Ohio is “too close to call”, final exit polls suggest a narrow victory for Clinton, likely within five points. In the end, its the delegate count that matters most, and so far it doesn’t look like Clinton is poised to pick up much ground on Obama in pledged delegates. As Jonathan Singer explains over on MyDD:
If Obama can get about 64 percent in Vermont tonight, the delegate spread would be 10 to 5 rather than 9 to 6 … I don’t think Obama will be able to hit 70 percent, which would yield an 11 to 4 spread, but if he could hit that 64 percent mark it could potentially mean that Obama would net as many delegates from Vermont as Clinton will from Ohio.
As of the moment, Obama leads Clinton 59-39 in Vermont, with 15% of precincts reporting.
UPDATE [6:11]:
Polls just closed in Rhode Island, where with 0% reporting, Obama and Clinton are neck and neck in a 0-0 tie. Obviously, it’s “too close to call”. (Or, more accurately, as Nick just pointed out, “too early”.)
More useful, Obama leads Clinton in Texas, 54-45 with 2% reporting. That may not sound like very much data, but over a million ballots have been counted, as all the early voting apparently gets reported as a single precinct. Clearly, Obama kicked ass in early voting. Expect the gap to close, just as Clinton closed in the polls over the final days of the campaign.
Elsewhere, Clinton leads Ohio 59-39 with 3% reporting, and 50-49 in Rhode Island with 4% reporting, while as earlier, who gives a flying fuck about McCain?
UPDATE [6:23]:
CLINTON WINS!!! (Rhode Island.) After losing 12 straight primaries and caucuses to Obama, Clinton has apparently finally notched a victory, with the networks declaring her the winner of “The Ocean State”… which ironically, is not actually on an ocean. (Or for that matter, is an actual island. Go figure.)
UPDATE [6:28]:
Mike Huckabee was still running for president? Who knew? He’s on TV announcing his withdrawal, with “this lady to my right” standing with him, just half step behind and to his side. I’m assuming he’s referring to his wife, but it might have been nice to mention her name. Assuming he knows it.
UPDATE [6:50]:
John McCain’s wife is better preserved than Vladimir Lenin. I wonder if she stops smiling if her face will crack?
UPDATE [7:20]:
As I predicted, the Obama’s lead in Texas is narrowing as more votes come in, down now to thin 50-48 margin. Man am I smart.
